January 11, 2012

Blog Tour: Guest Post + Giveaway with Elizabeth Isaacs!




Hi everyone!

Today we have a guest post by author Elizabeth Isaacs on her book The Light of Asteria. She is also giving away an eBook copy of her book to one lucky commenter.



If Nora Johnson hadn't been on campus that day she would have never known her true destiny. Helping her friends move into the dorm that she wanted to call home, Nora accidentally collides with mysterious stranger, Gavin Frey. His very first touch sends flames through her heart. The world seems different-something within her has changed.
Nora tries to resume her mundane life, but she is now consumed with the one whose very presence ignited her soul, the one with eyes of emerald. Nora soon learns that an energy buried deep within has been unleashed. She now wields unimaginable power and has become Gavin's source, his strength.
Her newfound joy is shaken when she discovers that Gavin is not who he appears to be and she has been thrust in the middle of a war of mythical proportions. Negativity has allowed all things evil to flourish, the earth is under siege. The fate of creation hinges on the power within her heart. Will she be strong enough to survive?
A gripping tale of unbounded love and ancient power, The Light of Asteria will take you on an epic adventure filled with war, treachery, and demons, as well as unimaginable delights.


And now over to Elizabeth...

Creating Kailmeyra

Thank you so much for allowing me to guest blog today! I appreciate the opportunity to talk about how the land of Kailmeyra came to be.

The Light of Asteria was originally written for my daughter. It was meant as a gift, and so I wrote it from an extremely personal place. The intent of the work came from a deep-seated need to teach lessons that she had not yet learned ... lessons of understanding, love, and, most importantly, forgiveness. Kate’s an avid reader, and so I knew I had to build a world where she would be able to explore without cynicism, a place where the words would naturally seep into her heart, a place for her to belong. Thus, Kailmeyra was born.

One of the most difficult aspects of creating a new world is finding a way to infuse fantasy into reality. Readers must have familiar images woven in the story so they can anchor the imaginary to the real. It makes the world believable and allows the setting to add to the story, not smother it. When a balance is maintained, the reader becomes enamored, dreaming of exploring beyond the page.

My first idea was to contrast the physical constructs. The descriptions had to be distinct, but subtle. I wanted the reader to naturally pick up the difference between the two lands without having to sift through tedious descriptive passages.

The second idea was to contrast the visual. Color is one of the simplest, yet most powerful, ways of changing someone's perception. Dim the lights, and the room goes from indifferent to romantic. Add inconsistent lighting, creating shadows, and the atmosphere becomes menacing. While the colors of Kailmeyra are brighter and purer, the biggest distinction between the two worlds is the night.

Symbolically evil flourishes in darkness. As Kailmeyra is a place without evil, I wanted the nights to be represented in a different way. It only seemed natural that the moon should cast a different hue over the land. But which color to choose?

Purple is symbolic for royalty. In most societies throughout the ages was used only on the finest cloth. The fact that the moon is often described as an "Amethyst light" is no accident. Amethyst was believed in mid evil times to control evil thoughts, quicken intelligence, and keep demons away.


Thank you Elizabeth for sharing this. I've tried writing a book where I created the world and then got really nervous that I wouldn't be able to put into words how I picture it in my head so I gave up lol. Great post though!


Check out the book trailer:






GIVEAWAY

1 eBook copy of The Light of Asteria by Elizabeth Isaacs.

- This giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL as long as you have a way to read the book.
- You must be 13 or older to enter.
- Must leave a comment on this post. Make sure to leave your name and a way for us to contact you if you win.
- Contest ends January 31st.
- Winner will be announced on our Facebook and Twitter page.


Links:

Website:
http://elizabethisaacs.com/

Asteria's Blog:
http://www.thelightofasteria.blogspot.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Isaacs-author/107839445917029

Twitter:
@kailmeyra

Amazon Author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Isaacs/e/B003NAYLBS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1


Where to buy:
Amazon:
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords:
The Light of Asteria



Good luck everyone!





31 comments:

  1. I love all these giveaways:) My names Shelby, BTW!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love Giveaways and the story seems interesting.
    Ana Luisa Alves
    Portugal

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  3. Thanks fir the opportunity... This is one of the books on my wishlist ^_^

    nerwen_elendil@yahoo.co.uk

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  4. This book sounds very interesting. Thank you for the giveaway!

    Sarah, @sawcat
    booklove at sawcatsverse dot com

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  5. thank you for the giveaway. the blurb sounds interesting
    email: cruz042 at cougars.csusm.edu

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  6. Really enjoyed this post! I love learning how author's build their fantasy worlds.

    nrosario23@yahoo.com

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  7. I really like how this book sounds! Love the cover as well! Thanks for the chance.

    sariahwalters at gmail dot com

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  8. This book sounds fantastic! I will definitely pick up a copy. :)

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  9. Forgot to add:

    victoria.orians@gmail.com

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  10. Yay! Thanks for the giveaway!

    megan.qualls(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. Thanks for the giveaway;Light of Asteria looks amazing!

    Candace, lovemibooks@aol.com

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  12. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to read this book. Sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  13. I've been wanting to read this for awhile now! It sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway:)

    hollyjolly89@gmail.com

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  14. I have known about the book but didn't put it on my tbr list till now. I loved the book trailer, the music really swayed me to read it! thanks for the giveaway!
    delivery.RN at gmail dot com

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  15. Ooooh! A book that involves college kiddies! I've never read one of those before. I'd love the opportunity to read this!

    jacqueline.c.goodman AT gmail DOT com

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  16. This looks like a really interesting read.
    deanna_boocock @ hotmail.com

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  17. The cover looks kinda old fashioned, like a precious heirloom :o
    Good luck to all the contenders!
    email: puieread@yahoo.com

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  18. Thanks for the giveaway. This book sounds great!

    bn100candg@hotmail.com

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  19. Interesting way the book began; so glad you also have a child who is an avid reader! Reading will take our kids far in life!!

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    books4me67 at ymail dot com

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  20. I've seen this book around and think it looks awesome! I would love to be entered into the giveaway:)

    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  21. I'd like to read more about Gavin & Nora! Thanks for the giveaway!

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

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  22. Interesting post! Love hearing the reasoning behind the colors. Not entering the giveaway just commenting. ;)

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  23. this book sounds really interesting!
    Christiecote@christiesbookreviews.com

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  24. This sounds like an interesting book.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo.dot com

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  25. I've heard about this recently and I was super excited that you're giving away Light of Asteria!!!
    Thanks for the chance :)

    ms_write@hotmail.sg
    @VamPoet

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  26. Sounds like a great read!

    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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  27. A giveaway!! how awesome! count me in, please!
    kintou_11@yahoo.com

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  28. thank you for the giveaway. Email: rafe22k@gmail.com

    Have a Good Day

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  29. Thank you so much for this giveaway. The Light of Asteria sounds like such a great read. A fantastic adventure with romance, action, and myth. This is definitely a book I would love to read.

    sthrnsweetie115@aol.com

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  30. I would LOVE to win this book! thx so much!

    -Kristina
    spicedice45@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would like to read this book. I just read the summary and it has me hooked.

    Rachel V
    pefrw(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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